This film is part of Rentals
This film is certified
- Contains infrequent moderate violence and injury detail
The Founding of a Republic
Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen appear together for the first time in the epic, star-studded story of the birth of modern China.
Historical drama 2009 140 mins
Director: Han Sanping
Overview
Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen appear together for the first time in the epic, star-studded story of the birth of modern China, recounting the rise and victory of Mao Zedong’s Communist Party over Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces in the Chinese civil war. Officially sanctioned it may be, but Huang Jianxin and Han Sanping’s film is much more than mere propaganda; a rousing yet sophisticated spectacle that reaffirms China’s complex relationship with its own 20th-century history.
Commissioned to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, the film’s staggering cast – a veritable who’s who of every major figure in Chinese cinema - even stretches to include onscreen appearances by directors Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang, Jiang Wen and John Woo.
Contains infrequent moderate violence and injury detailRelated
Historical drama
Lizzie Lizzie
Crime 2017 105 mins Director: Craig Macneill
Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart captivate in this bodice-ripping retelling of the strange and fascinating case of Lizzie Borden.
Scandal Scandal
Historical drama 1989 114 mins Director: Michael Caton-Jones
A fictionalised account of the 1963 ‘Profumo Affair’ that rocked the government of British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Starring John Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Bridget Fonda, Ian McKellen and Leslie Phillips.
Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge
Biopic 1952 120 mins Director: John Huston
Toulouse Lautrec (José Ferrer) seeks solace in the drink, dance and distractions of the infamous Paris nightclub, in John Huston's exquisitely evoked biopic.
Shiraz: A Romance of India Shiraz: A Romance of India
Historical drama 1928 106 mins Silent Director: Franz Osten
This epic silent film, telling the ravishing, romantic story behind the Taj Mahal, has been newly restored with a sumptuous new score from Anoushka Shankar.
The God King The God King
Historical drama 1974 99 mins Director: Lester James Peries
Epic tale set in 5th century Sri Lanka, following the battle for the throne between Kassapa and his father King Dhatusena.
The Elephant Man The Elephant Man
Biopic 1980 124 mins Director: David Lynch
David Lynch's moving true-life tale of the severely deformed Joseph Merrick and his rescue from the hell of a Victorian circus sideshow.
Chinese Cinema
The Assassin The Assassin
Action and Adventure 2015 106 mins Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s mesmerising, visually stunning tale of love and honour was Sight and Sound magazine’s best film of 2015.
Yang ± Yin - Gender in Chinese Cinema Yang ± Yin - Gender in Chinese Cinema
Documentary 1997 79 mins Director: Stanley Kwan Kam-pang
An inspirational and star-laden journey through Chinese cinema in the company of John Woo, Chen Kaige, Ang Lee and Tsui Hark.
A Touch of Sin A Touch of Sin
Drama 2013 125 mins Director: Jia Zhangke
Jia Zhangke’s state-of-the-nation report on contemporary China is comprised of four stories about shocking acts of violence.
The Grandmaster The Grandmaster
Action and Adventure 2013 109 mins Director: Wong Kar Wai
Wong Kar-Wai’s lavish martial arts biopic tells the story of Ip Man, the legendary trainer who became Bruce Lee’s mentor.
Speechless Speechless
Drama 2012 93 mins Director: Simon Chung
A mysterious, exotic and riveting drama about a nameless man discovered naked on a riverbank, who forms a bond with the hospital assistant who can communicate with him.
Lust, Caution Lust, Caution
Drama 2007 158 mins Director: Ang Lee
Esteemed Taiwanese director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Life of Pi) returned to Asia once more for this startlingly erotic tale of espionage and obsession.
Featuring Zhang Guoli
Back to 1942 Back to 1942
Drama 2012 146 mins Silent Director: Feng Xiaogang
With a cast that includes Adrien Brody, Tim Robbins and Fan Xu, Back to 1942 is an epic reconstruction of the deadly drought of 1942 that took its toll on central China's Henan province during the war against Japan
New
Ali & Ava Ali & Ava
Drama 2020 94 mins Director: Clio Barnard
Clio Barnard’s latest film is a tremendously warm and tenderly written love story.
Parallel Mothers Parallel Mothers
Drama 2021 123 mins Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Almodóvar at his very best, presenting a riveting drama about two mothers from very different backgrounds whose lives become intertwined.
Wake Up Punk Wake Up Punk
Documentary 2022 84 mins Director: Nigel Askew
Nigel Askew's documentary explores the punk movement, featuring revealing insights from designer and punk icon Vivienne Westwood.
We're All Going to the World's Fair We're All Going to the World's Fair
Horror 2021 86 mins Director: Jane Schoenbrun
This remarkable debut from Jane Schoenbrun is destined to be a cult classic.
Murina Murina
Drama 2021 96 mins Director: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
Tensions rise between restless teenager Julija and her oppressive father Ante when an old family friend arrives at their Croatian island home.
Compartment No. 6 Compartment No. 6
Drama 2021 107 mins Director: Juho Kuosmanen
Juho Kuosmanen’s grungy train journey to Siberia, in a Finnish student’s shared sleeper carriage with a volatile Russian labourer, won the 2021 Cannes Grand Prix.